Bangladesh News

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Patricia A Butenis yesterday urged the business community to mount pressure on the political leaderships so that they sit and resolve differences on political issues to hold an election acceptable to all.
“All political parties are expected to participate in the next general election” because it is essential for the sake of democracy, Butenis said at a meeting with the leaders of Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) at its office in Dhaka.

“I take the opportunity of promoting your efforts to arrange a dialogue between the two political parties to resolve their concerns about the differences on political issues,” she said.

The ruling party and the opposition should sit across the table and discuss the electoral reform proposals and how the election can be held in a credible manner, the US envoy added.

Urging the business leaders to continue their efforts to bring the ruling party and the opposition to the negotiation table for talks, Butenis said she will extend support to the FBCCI in this regard.

Responding to an FBCCI director’s apprehension of “media coup” in the next election since most of the electronic media belong to ruling party men, the US ambassador said she will discuss the matter with appropriate authorities prior to the election.

The US wants the tradition of democracy to continue and the next election to be free and fair, with an outcome generally accepted by all just like the previous elections, she said, adding, “We support democracy and the democratic process. We do not support any particular party.”Appreciating the economic progress of Bangladesh, Butenis said state-owned sick companies like Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation and Biman Bangladesh Airlines must cope with the significantly higher fuel prices.

“The IMF has expressed concern about the rising energy subsidy and Bangladesh’s macroeconomic performance. The added transportation cost, inefficient port and power shortages are the causes for losing productivity,” she said.

She identified corruption, inefficiency of the government, weak police and judiciary systems, and low enrolment in primary and secondary education as the barriers to the country’s progress.

Butenis said foreign investment could provide capital to address major infrastructure challenges although investment proposals like that of Tata depends on the decision of the people, government and the business community.

Referring to the recent unrest in the garment sector, she said it has affected Bangladesh’s business reputation. She urged businesspeople to remain alert to check any repeat of such incident that is harmful to international business.

Speaking at the meeting, FBCCI President Mir Nasir Hossain said about 42 per cent of the population still live in poverty while a great majority live on less than $1 a day.

The end of the MFA has been continuing to worry Bangladesh. But because of the ingenuity of entrepreneurs and efficiency of the labourers, the country has been able to continue its exports amidst competition, he said.

“However, an air of uncertainty still looms with the restrictions on China ending by 2008. In order to help us retain and increase exports, I will strongly urge the US government to help ensure a segment of its market through preferential measures,” he said.

An adverse impact on the textile exports will trigger off unemployment and negative economic fallouts, Nasir said, adding that any worsening of poverty level can only breed discontent in these days of interactive communication and extremism.